30 Halal Foods YOU CAN’T MISS when you visit Medan!

Known for its’ diverse culture and tribes, you can see the diversity of Indonesia from the different kinds of cuisines and fusion dishes available all across the country. From authentic, original food from certain tribes to some identified fusion dishes graced the table of every family and the tables in restaurants.

We had written Medan Food Guide before, but this time, we want to focus solely on the HALAL dishes in Medan. We try to give as diverse options as possible, so if you’re interested, continue to scroll down!

“Mie Rebus is a noodle dish with thick, gooey gravy that is ladled over the thick noodles boiled over with beansprouts”

If you find this lady, means you’re in the right place.

In Medan, Mie Rebus is usually thought to be a dish descended from Indian people (not the Native American, but real India people). Its’ gravy is rich in flavours and it usually bodes well in the stomach, especially when you’re craving something filling and warming.

How it looks and believe me, the smell will definitely make your stomach grumble in hunger.

However, there are two known version in Medan: the Chinese version and the Indian version. The one called Mie Rebus Dewar is made by the Indian descendants living in Medan, we do think you should give it a shot when you’re visiting the city.

Nasi Gurih has been a long-time player in Indonesia’ cuisines and its neighbouring countries. The one here has a touch of Minangkabau influence that comes in the form of beef jerky instead of the common Nasi Gurih serves with egg.

The mix of rice cooked in coconut milk, sambal, beef jerky, stir-fried long beans and fried shallots on top makes this dish a delicious (heavier) breakfast.

Right at the street of Kesawan, where you can see the old, left-over building left behind by the Dutch.

With its strategic location across the cultural heritage Tjong A Fie and consistency in taste over the years, it’s no wonder that Soto Kesawan is an unbeatable Soto stall in Medan. The Soto here is fragrant and has an orange tint on the colours.

Made by with coconut milk and a plethora of ingredients (beef, shrimp, chicken) with a dash of green onions, made Soto a fragrant, tasty broth. You’ll definitely crave for rice with this!

Behind its humbling appearance, this eel restaurant sells an amazing variety of eels dishes, from Belut Sambal Ijo, Belut Sambal Merah, Belut goreng and many more. The spice would definitely hit your tastebud before you could even say “Yum!”

When it’s a specialty restaurant, you know they will be delicious! A numerous number of eel dishes on this table were all cooked on point — delicioso!

The specialty in this particular stall is the generous serving of meatballs in a bowl. Filled to the brim with its thicker in consistency gravy, you don’t have to be worried that you’ll be left unsatisfied.

Generous meatballs in a bowl never go wrong — just maybe not your healthy opt for a meatballs!

A place you definitely can’t miss if you’re looking for Halal Bataknese Cuisines is RM Marikena. Its’ specialty lies in their Ayam Cipera and Ayam Petai. Other than that, you should also try Ikan Mas Arsik which is also a special Bataknese Dish.

Author's Note: Bataknese Cuisines are known for their barbecued pork and blood sausage which is non-halal.

This hearty meal starts with a rice, then some Ayam Cipera (marinated in corn) and some other side dishes, you’ll never be able to forget about this meal.

8. RM Sipirok

Have you ever tried a beef dish which requires you to use a straw? Well, look no further if you’re into a challenging bone dish which require you to get a straw. This bone soup dish is called Sup Tulang Sum-Sum, and usually cooked for so long that the bone soaks up all the flavours and the broth.

Interestingly enough, if you come to this particular Padang Cuisines restaurant, the one you should get is the ‘Sambal’. Sambal is the red, chili or green chili paste that most Indonesian Cuisines use. Try their Acar Cabe Kering or Cabe Dendeng which tastes fresh, with a hint of zest and crunchy in texture.

10. Sop Lembu Jl. Kenari

Despite its so-not-obvious location (it looks like a house from outside), this place is never empty. Famed for its savoury, orange coloured broth with tender meat made this place one of the must try place!

Even though located next to a well-established restaurant, this small stall doesn’t lose in competition. The menu on the list is, surprisingly, fried fish that is crisp on the outside and tender inside. Paired with their homemade Sambal Ijo (Green Chili Sambal), their simple dish is elevated to a whole new level.

Famed for its spiciness, Mie Aceh is a type of noodles dish that is usually made by the Aceh Natives. Its’ spices are specially concocted so to get that “oomph” taste, which you may not necessarily get it somewhere else.

When you’re awake in the middle of the night and feeling hungry or just plain hungry and can’t sleep, you can visit this Fried Rice Stall here. The quick service is comparable to getting any kind of fast food and is a place many people come to for a late night supper.

Fried rice topped with eggs and beef is the way to go for a midnight hour snack. A bit heavy, some may say, but who to say no when the stomach wails?

What sets this Pecel Lele eatery with the others are the varieties they put on the menu; from Sup Daging, Sup Buntut, Ikan Gembung Asam Manis, Tahu Senayan, Dendeng Balado, and Udang Sere. They’re all good though!

15. Sup Kambing Kumango

As one of the legendaries stalls in Medan, this soupy dish made from lamb stock is truly a taste of its own. Orange, dense yet watery broth is its trademark. Since 1976, the flavours have been consistent all along. A pretty good choice for the night too!

A legendary lamb soup, this dish is still a favourite of many people, as could be seen from the never-ending flow of customers since its opening hour.

Made usually from ginger and gula aren with a touch of other spices, this traditional drink from the Sunda tribe from West Java is made to warm the body of the drinker. Perfect when you’re out from a spa or just a tiring day, this warming drink can definitely settle your stomach for a huge feast.

Famous for its Avocado Coffee Float, this place had only started a few years ago but already made its own name and status in the city. A mix of blended avocado, chocolate sauce, chocolate ice-cream and chocolate sprinkle, the drink is also drizzled with espresso for those in favour of coffee. You can always dispose of it if you’re only into the sweet yum!

Sweet and cold, with an optional dash of espresso, this Avoacado Coffee Float is the cafe’s signature so make sure you get try it!

19. Pokat Kocok Buk Iyah

Similar but not the same, Pokat Kocok is also a blended avocado drink. As you may have realised by now, the Indonesian loves their avocado! Holding the truest sense of an original Avocado Blend, this drink has been here since 1968.

A sweet concoction that would give you a high way to diabetes, but still, who cares when it tastes super good!

Commonly you would find ‘Mie Sop’ being served with meatballs, but Bu Tuti was able to hold onto a good, recipe of savoury broth that made us overlook the nonexistence meatballs. Other than the savoury broth, the generous amount of ingredients filling the bowl to the brim is also another plus point for us!

Been here since 1929, this restaurant was the witness of a revolution that changed and shaped Indonesia as it was. Used to be a socialising place for the Dutch, the cuisines on the menu are more on the western side like steak with a touch of Indonesian Bakery on the menu. The cakes are the town’s favourite!

24. Durian Pelawi

source: google

When you’re visiting any country in Southeast Asia, Durian, the King of Fruits, is the kind you should not miss at all. Each Durian in every country taste differently; some bitter, some sweet, some bittersweet. The point is: don’t miss it!

25. Bolang Durian

If you want to eat Durian in a more “hype” place, you can visit Bolang Durian. From bright lights to pretty decor, this place is the perfect place to hang out at night while enjoying the smooth, silky Durian.

One of the best-selling snack in Indonesia, especially in Medan is Martabak Piring. It’s a sweet and savoury, thinly grilled pancaked that is crispy inside out. Usually, you’ll find the food cart around in the city at night.

Thinly grilled on top of the charcoal, this sweet and savoury pancakes are the demand of the night!

Made of varieties of veggies and peanut sauce, Pecel is a type of dish that is usually eaten during snacking time (Pecel is different from Pecel Lele — as Pecel Lele can usually be eaten as main dish rather than a side). Topped the Pecel with some crackers and you’re good to go!

Drenched in peanut sauce, this lontong topped with crackers can be your choice for a lighter lunch.

It is not strange to find Satay carts all over the city, but they usually sell just one or two kinds of meat like Beef or Chicken. But Sate Triadi sells many different types; other than the meat, they also sell offals, seafood and meatballs of the same type.

Marinated with the owner’s special sauce, this grilled meat skewers could be your option for the spicier day.

29. Toko Kue Banyumas

Try the authentic taste of traditional Indonesia’s cakes and snacks. When you walk down the stairs leading to the basement where this stall is located, you’ll straight up know exactly why this place is so popular. The smell wafted all over the place making this place the Willy Wonka Factory for humans of all ages.

Glutinous, chewy bread is Indonesia’s specialty. It would be buttery and smells really good — but your weighing machine will move up a few kilos too, so don’t be surprised.

30. Putu Bambu Sudi Mampir

As a lover of crumbly, soft, sweet dessert, Putu Bambu made it into the list of my most wanted dessert. Its existence is rare but not impossible to find. Made from gelatinous dough that has more crumbly disposition and Gula Aren fillings, the textures are both soft and rough at the same time. The steamed coconut flakes and sugars on top made it sweeter than it looks.

And that’s it…?

Now you know where to eat Halal foods when you reach Medan. From main courses to desserts, don’t worry about anything! While you’re at it — visit some historical buildings in Medan and read some Food Guide from this blog.